Golf swing training device

ABSTRACT

A golf training device that mounts on a golf club and defines a swing plane throughout the swing of the club. The device includes inner and outer collars that interlock to retain the club, and permit rotation of the club through the swing motion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/484,057, filed on Jun. 30, 2003. The priority of the prior application is expressly claimed and its disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a golf training device, and in particular to a portable device that can be attached to nearly any golf club and used to develop and practice a golf swing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,340, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, I described a golf swing training device. A preferred embodiment described therein included a simulated golf club having upper and lower portions connected to a bracket or line guide assembly. The bracket includes a line assembly that attaches to a nearby vertical surface or other connector, and maintains the club in an optimal swing plane during the full extent of the swing.

This invention improves on my earlier design in that it can be readily attached to and detached from nearly any golf club, and can be easily stored in a golf bag, and can be easily carried with a person while traveling. While the easy attachment and detachment of the training device from a golf club might appear to be a trivial variation of my earlier design, in practice it is not so simple. The bracket must easily fit onto and detach from different clubs and grip sizes, and must do so with the grip and head of the club in place. In addition, the bracket must permit the club to freely rotate as the club is swung.

In addition, this improvement provides an alternate arrangement of the lines that attach the bracket to the wall connector.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the swing training device attached to a golf club and to a wall, and being held by the user.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bracket portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention mounted on a golf club and being held by a user.

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the wall attachment portion of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 2, and showing the notches of the inner and outer members aligned for insertion into or removal of a club from the bracket.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 2, and showing the notches of the inner and outer members offset for retaining a club in the bracket.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the inner collar of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the inner collar depicted in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and showing the orientation of the attachment lines relative to the hands of the user.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are enlarged partial views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 disclose a golf swing training and exercising apparatus 10 embodying the invention and comprising a golf club 11, a lanyard or sling 12 and an anchoring 13 which may include a suction cup 14. Device 10 is anchored through anchor 13 to a post, mirror or vertically positioned wall 16 near its upper end and may comprise a suction cup 14 as shown in FIG. 1 or a ring bolt, or any other suitable attachment mechanism could also be utilized.

Bracket 24 further comprises an arm member 26 extending outwardly from outer collar 28 for attaching the ends 30 and 32 of lines 34 and 36 of sling 12 thereto, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8. Bracket 24 is preferably formed of rigid lightweight metal or plastic so that there will be no bending or deforming of the bracket during use. Sling 12 further comprises a first line 34 extending between bracket 24 at point 30 and anchor 13, and a second line 36 extending between bracket 24 at point 32 and anchor 13. Line 34 is oriented along a line that if extended beyond bracket 24 would intersect the handle of the club 16 at a point between the hands of the user. Line 34 thereby defines an axis of rotation of the club along line 34 as the club is rotated. The axis defined by line 34 maintains the club in a proper swing plane throughout the swing, and in so doing trains the user to achieve the proper swing. Line 36 serves to define the angle of the club relative to the ground such that at address, the club head and shaft are properly oriented to the user. Line 36 is preferably adjustable in length to permit ready adjustment of the device to fit each user. In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B, lines 34 and 36 are adjustable by means of an adjuster unit 110 attached to lines 34 and 36 below anchor 13. Adjuster unit 110 includes left and right halves 112 and 114 that are bolted together by bolts 116 and 118. The relative positions of halves 112 and 114 can be adjusted (offset) along the axis of lines 34 and 36 by selecting one appropriate pair of holes 120 to adjust the location of the central balance point along handle of club 16 (FIG. 11B). Each half 112 and 114 is preferably made of aluminum (although the invention is not limited to any particular material of construction), and is approximately ½″ wide and 1″ long.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, bracket 24 and its attachment to the club will now be described. FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of bracket 24, including an arm member 26, an outer collar 28, an inner collar 30, and an end washer 31 that is welded or glued to the end of inner collar 30 to retain it within outer collar 28. Bracket 24 is assembled by inserting inner collar 30 into outer collar 28 and then welding, pinning or gluing end washer 31 onto the protruding end of inner collar 30. The inner diameter of outer collar 28 and the outer diameter of inner collar 30 are selected to provide a sliding fit and free rotational movement between the inner and outer collars. Inner collar 30 has a tapered inner surface (See FIGS. 5 and 6) that is sized to engage the tapered lower portion of a golf club grip. In the preferred embodiment the inner surface of inner collar 30 tapers along its length from a diameter of 0.8 inches to 0.7 inches. In other preferred embodiments the inner surface of inner collar 30 tapers from between 0.7-0.9 inches on one end to 0.6-0.8 inches on the other end, although the invention is not limited to any particular dimensions or amount of taper. When engaged, the tacky surface of the golf club grip prevents slippage between inner collar 30 and the grip, fixing the bracket on the club. The club and inner collar 30 then rotate within outer collar 28 as the club is swung.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled bracket mounted on a club along line A-A in FIG. 2. Inner collar 30 includes an open notch 51 that is sized to receive the shaft portion of the golf club, but which is smaller than the diameter of the handle portion of the golf club. Outer collar 28 likewise includes a notch 55 that is also sized to receive the shaft portion of the golf club, but which is smaller than the inner collar 30. To insert the club into the bracket, notches 51 and 55 are aligned as shown in FIG. 5. The shaft of the golf club is passed through notches 51 and 55, and the golf club is then slid downward until the grip 23 of the golf club engages the inner collar 30 with an interference fit. The club and inner collar are then rotated relative to outer collar 28 as shown in FIG. 6, retaining the club in the bracket. Removing the club from bracket 24 is simply a reversal of the steps; rotate inner collar 30 to align notches 51 and 55, tap the club on the ground to release the interference fit between the club grip and inner collar 30, slide the club head toward the bracket until the bracket is on club shaft, and remove the club through aligned notches 51 and 55.

In the use of the golf swing training device, the upper end of line 34 is first anchored to a vertical surface using suction cup 14 as shown in FIG. 1. A full length mirror is an ideal surface for such mounting because of the visual feedback it affords during practice. The user then grips the club and assumes an address position. When the golfer 15, shown in FIG. 1, grasps the grip 23 of the golf club 11 and assumes the position shown, lines 34 and 36 with arm member 25 form a triangle. When the lines 34 and 36 are equally tensioned, a balance point 37 of the club occurs along line 34 (See FIG. 9) between the hands of the golfer, and which is approximately three and one/half to five inches down from the butt of golf club 11. By keeping lines 34 and 36 equally taut during the swing, the golfer will create a perfect swing plane with golf club 11 centrifugally balanced throughout the golfer's entire swing. As used here centrifugal force means the moving, proceeding, or acting in a direction away from the center or axis of an object such as its balance point.

The perfect golf club swing and plane occurs when lines 34 and 36 are substantially equally taut as shown in FIG. 9 during the golfer's swing through approximately 360 degrees, i.e. from the top of the backswing to the finish of the swing. Matching the plane created by lines 34 and 36 and arm member 26 of the training device with the plane created by an actual golf club through approximately 360 degree movement will create the maximum amount of energy that the particular golfer can impart to his golf ball through its golf club head. Thus, repeated use of the golf swing training device will train the golfer's muscles to replicate the ideal golf club movement in practice exactly as you would like it in your regular golf club swing movement on a golf course. To achieve the best results, the exercises with the training device should be done very slowly so the golfer can sense the tension of lines 32 and 33 of sling 12 as he swings his golf club.

The best results achieved by the training device occur when use of a normal 4 count from addressing the ball to the top of the back swing and then pause. Begin the down swing with the pulling of the arms. Use the same 4 count with the downswing with 4 being the point of impact with the ball. It is desirable that the tension in lines 34 and 36 be balanced, not stretched at the top of the swing of the golf club. This keeps the golf club centrifugally balanced in its swing plane.

When device 10 is gripped by a golfer, bracket 26 extends outwardly from the golfer and golf club so that it can rotate relative to inner collar 30 and the golf club on a common axis with sufficient clearance so that no part of the bracket touches the golf club or golfer during a training exercise. The arrangement of lines 34 and 36 forming the sling cooperate with the bracket 26 and form an essential part of this invention. The actual method of securing the ends of lines 34 and 36 to the line guide and suction cup is of minor importance and it will be appreciated that any suitable support or attachment may be used. The anchor position should be at about the height of the head of the golfer above the ground.

The action of device 10 in maintaining equal or balanced tension in lines 34 and 36 during the start of a swing will force the golfer to develop correct hand gripping action with the balance point 37 of the training device being at a point between the hands of the golfer as shown in FIG. 9. Assuming this position each time the training device is used will enable the golfer to obtain the proper sense and feeling for the proper swing of the golf club.

When lines 34 and 36 are taut with the golfer addressing the ball as shown in FIG. 1, portion 25 of the bracket 24 will rotate forming a plane substantially identical to the plane that the golfer should use in addressing and hitting a golf ball on the golf course. The hands of the golfer at this time are definitely fixed in a predetermined angular position with the balance point of the training device between the hands. The position of the arms and hands of the golfer do not change during a swing of the training device. The bracket or line guide 24 rotates relative to the golf club to permit the golfer to equally balance the tension in lines 34 and 36. It is apparent that device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is arranged for use by a right or left handed golfer.

The improved training device disclosed enables the golfer to concentrate on swinging his or her hands through the proper arc and on maintaining them in proper position while swinging, and it has been found that once these correct swinging habits are impressed on the muscles by practice, the muscles will remember and repeat the correct swinging habits when the golfer transfers from this training device to a conventional golf club.

While the invention has been described by reference to preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. Those of skill in the art will recognize that numerous changes could be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the following claims. 

1. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club comprising: an outer collar having a generally cylindrical inner surface; an inner collar rotatably mounted in the outer collar, the inner collar having an inner surface adapted to releasably engage a first portion of a golf club; the outer collar having a first notch having a width selected to receive a golf club shaft and to retain the inner collar within the outer collar; the inner collar having a second notch sized to receive a golf club shaft; and, the inner collar rotatable between a first position within the outer shaft wherein the first and second notches are aligned and a second position wherein the first and second notches are offset.
 2. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim 1 further comprising: an elongate member extending from the outer collar; and, a sling having first and second spaced apart lines attached to the elongate member and connected to a third line, the third line having a distal end connected to a mounting apparatus, the first and second lines having respective lengths selected so that when the first and second lines are held taut the third line is oriented along a line extending from the mounting apparatus to a point between the hands of a user gripping the golf club.
 3. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim 1 wherein the inner collar includes first and second end plates having respective diameters larger than the inner diameter of the outer collar.
 4. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim 1 wherein the inner collar includes a tapered inner surface.
 5. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim 1 wherein the inner collar includes a rounded tapered inner surface that tapers from between 0.7 and 0.9 inches in diameter to between 0.6-0.87 inches in diameter.
 6. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim 1 further comprising: an elongate member extending from the outer collar; and, a sling having first and second spaced apart lines attached to the elongate member and to a mounting apparatus, the first and second lines having respective lengths selected so that the first and second lines define a first axis along a line extending from the mounting apparatus to a balance point between the hands of a user gripping the golf club.
 7. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim 1 further comprising the golf club rotatable at an angle of 90 degrees about an axis coincident with the third line. 